{"product_id":"hamel-family-grenache-2024","title":"Hamel Family Estate Grenache 2024","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Land\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis Grenache comes off the Moon Mountain District, the hillside AVA on the Sonoma side of the Mayacamas, with Nuns Canyon Vineyard at its core and a smaller share from the Hamel Family Ranch. These are volcanic sites built on ancient lava flows and fractured basalt, farmed as small soil-defined parcels the estate calls polygons. Elevation, cool nights, and dry-farmed vines on rocky ground push roots deep and hold acidity, which is why Grenache here leans red-fruited and mineral rather than jammy. It is closer in spirit to the southern Rhône than to warm-climate California.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Wine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Grenache-based wine in a restrained, Rhône-leaning style, with small amounts of Mourvèdre and Zinfandel from the estate vineyards. Fermentation runs in stainless steel with roughly half whole clusters left in, and the wine ages in concrete eggs rather than oak, which keeps the fruit vivid and the texture light on its feet. Fresh raspberry and red cherry, dried rose and wild herb, white pepper, and a chalky, volcanic minerality on the finish. There is grip and lift here rather than weight. The 2024 vintage in Sonoma followed a wet winter and a hot summer with a mild, even finish; smaller clusters gave concentrated color and bright acidity, and the year is being called one of the county's best in decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Hamel family bought their first Sonoma property in 2006, and John Hamel has led winemaking since 2017. The estate has been certified organic and biodynamic (CCOF and Demeter) since 2015, dry farms roughly 80% of its acreage, and grazes cattle through the vineyards in winter. Since 2016 the family has worked with Chilean terroir specialist Pedro Parra, known as Dr. Terroir, mapping the volcanic soils meter by meter; Hamel is his only client in California. The cellar work is deliberately restrained: whole-cluster fermentation, concrete aging, minimal handling, all in service of showing the site rather than the winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA versatile red for the table. Herb-roasted chicken with olives, grilled lamb merguez, mushroom and farro risotto, or pork loin with a cherry pan sauce. The bright acidity and peppery lift make it a natural with charred and herb-forward cooking, and it takes a light chill well on a warm evening.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Doug Krenik Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50572456689887,"sku":null,"price":66.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0439\/7436\/1248\/files\/P7160688.jpg?v=1784262396","url":"https:\/\/denverwinemerchant.com\/products\/hamel-family-grenache-2024","provider":"Denver Wine Merchant","version":"1.0","type":"link"}